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Buyer's Guide · Honda Pilot · 3-row midsize SUV

Used Honda Pilot Buyer's Guide

3 min read

Also worth reading: Best Honda Pilot Years, Honda Pilot Years to Avoid and Honda Reliability Guide.

The Pilot is a refined 3-row family SUV built around the durable J35 V6. Later 9-speed automatic calibration issues are the main thing to check on 2016–2018 examples.

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Quick Verdict
Overall verdict
4.3/5 · Very good
Reliability
4.3/5 · Very good
Best years
2016–2018 (3rd gen, 6AT trims), 2019+ (post-9AT updates)
Years to research
2016–2018 (9AT trims), 2009–2015 (2nd gen)
Maintenance cost
4.4/5 · Very good
Parts availability
5.0/5 · Excellent
Ownership cost
4.4/5 · Very good

Bottom line: Yes, if the third row matters.

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Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.3/5
The J35 V6 is one of the most reliable modern V6s. The 6-speed automatic (2016–2018 lower trims) is proven; the ZF 9-speed on higher trims needed multiple software updates. 2019+ shift quality is much better.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.3/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.4/5
Parts availability
★★★★★5.0/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.4/5
Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2016–2018 (3rd gen, 6AT trims)

J35 with the 6-speed — the simplest and safest 3rd-gen pick.

2019+ (post-9AT updates)

9AT calibration much improved; refined family SUV.

Side by side

Honda Pilot ratings at a glance

CategoryRatingWhat it means
Overall4.3/5Very good
Reliability4.3/5Very good
Maintenance4.4/5Very good
Parts availability5.0/5Excellent
Ownership cost4.4/5Very good
Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2016–2018 (9AT trims)

Rough shifting complaints on early 9-speeds — verify software updates and shift quality on test drive.

2009–2015 (2nd gen)

Fine platform but interior wear and modest infotainment; timing-belt service on J35 (105k) required.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓
    9-speed rough shifts on 2016–2018 (software addressed)
  • ✓
    VCM (cylinder deactivation) oil consumption on some examples
  • ✓
    AC condenser on high-mileage examples
  • ✓
    Rear entertainment (if equipped) failures
Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

Pilot ownership is very close to Odyssey and Ridgeline — same J35 V6, same service intervals.

V6 timing belt (105k) is the largest scheduled expense; otherwise routine.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Transmission (9AT)
Test-drive under varied conditions; verify latest software.
Engine
Watch for VCM-related oil consumption; verify timing-belt service on 100k+ cars.
AWD
Rear-diff fluid service on AWD examples.
Suspension
Struts and bushings at 150k+.
Rust
Rear subframe on Northeast examples.
Living with it

Ownership Experience

  • • Comfortable, quiet, and practical for large families. Third row is genuinely usable.
  • • Real-world 20 mpg mixed is typical.
  • • Reasonable insurance and predictable service costs.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Honda Pilot?

Yes, if the third row matters. Prefer 2019+ for improved transmission calibration, or 2016–2018 lower trims for the simpler 6AT.

People Also Ask

Is the Honda Pilot a good used car?

Verdict rates it 4.3/5 overall, with reliability at 4.3/5 and running costs at 4.4/5. Shop 2016–2018 (3rd gen, 6AT trims) first and treat 2016–2018 (9AT trims) as a records-only purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Honda Pilot?
Verdict scores it 4.3/5 for reliability and 4.3/5 overall. Buy from 2016–2018 (3rd gen, 6AT trims) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which Pilot years should I avoid?
2016–2018 (9AT trims) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Honda Pilot?
2016–2018 (3rd gen, 6AT trims). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Honda Pilot last?
A well-maintained Pilot from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Pilot expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 4.4/5 and parts availability 5.0/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used Pilot?
Focus on: Transmission (9AT), Engine, AWD, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Pilot problems?
9-speed rough shifts on 2016–2018 (software addressed); VCM (cylinder deactivation) oil consumption on some examples; AC condenser on high-mileage examples; Rear entertainment (if equipped) failures
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Pilot?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Pilot with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Pilot's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Honda Pilot?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2016–2018 (3rd gen, 6AT trims) first, treat 2016–2018 (9AT trims) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.

How the Pilot compares

Side-by-side buying comparisons against the models people cross-shop most.

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